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When did you realize you were really in labor?
My water broke around 2 AM and woke me up from my sleep. I tried to go back to bed to get some rest but my contractions became very intense right away so I called my midwife to come over and began pacing around my house while timing my contractions.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The most challenging thing for me was waiting for the "pushing" part of labor. The pain was so intense leading up to it, that I just wanted to get to the next phase and start pushing already!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I feel that watching natural birth videos, reading other mommies experiences, and talking to other moms who had delivered naturally was the most helpful for me. It really solidified for me that birth didn't have to look like the crazy hospital scenes you see on T.V. It can be a peaceful and spiritual experience.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was born with a septum (piece of tissue) dividing my uterus and cervix in half. I had surgery to remove the septum from my uterus, but I still have two seperate cervixes! My midwife and I weren't quite sure how I would dilate if at all. I actually was told by doctors that I would likely never carry a child to full term and that if I did my chances of delivering vaginally were slim to none. I was pleasantly surprised that one of my cervixes did dilate and my labor was only 9 hours! It was very intense, but I was expecting a longer labor due to my condition.
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Be particular about who you choose as your support system during labor and also who you invite to your birth.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Counter pressure! Having someone push on my lower back and hips was so helpful. Also, being in warm water (shower and tub) was a huge relief from the pain.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I was in the birthing tub laying back with my husband supporting me until I pushed my son's head out. At that point I switched and got into the squatting position and delivered him!
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was the most incredible, surreal experience. I didn't know I could love someone so immediately and so intensely. We didn't find out the sex of our baby and I was so surprised to find out he was a sweet baby boy! I immediately saw his father's face in his which was so cool. We looked at each other knowing we had just accomplished this amazing task together. He stared into my eyes like we had known each other for centuries.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Be particular about who you choose as your support system during labor and also who you invite to your birth. It was just my husband and I with our midwife and I personally can't imagine having anyone there who wasn't entirely on board with my decision to go natural. I often turned to them for reassurance that I could do it.
